Monthly Archives

February 2018

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Where to Query Your YA Horror Novel (Part 1)

I have a campy YA horror novel that is struggling to find a home. The market isn't as strong for YA horror as it is for say, contemporary romance. I know what you're thinking--but what about authors like R.L. Stine or Stephen King? Darling, they are outliers. Sometimes when I go to ALA or other conventions and ask publishing houses about current YA horror that I should have on my radar, they're not as quick to have recommendations for me as they are for other genres.  Not always, of course. Sometimes they grace me with a zillion recommendations and it's love[...]

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THE RITUAL Makes the Woods Terrifying Again

I know it's cool nowadays to talk junk about The Blair Witch Project, but anyone who say that movie when it came out knows it created an amazing sense of atmosphere, and it made being lost in the woods seem downright terrifying. I bring this up, because as I was watching The Ritual last weekend, I realized it was the first movie that captured that "lost in the woods" feeling for me since Blair Witch (although The Ruins came close, and I heartily recommend it). The Ritual combines that atmosphere of isolation with some folklore and a strong dose of H.P. Lovecraf[...]

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Happy Birthday Erica!!!!

Today is a very special day. For. One. Very. Special. Person. Editor. Author. Human. Jokester. Academic. Enthusiast. Empath. Leader. Lover of books.   HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA! Here are just a few gifts from the troops. Erica, you always know how to lift me up and somehow sense when I'm hurting. I've never met someone who has made me laugh harder, want to be better, and understood my empath side more than you. You are simply incredible, talented, and a force of nature made of beautiful words and a kind heart. Thank you for being you. To kick th[...]

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Let’s Talk Horror Movies: Winchester

Greetings, horror movie lovers. There's a new movie out. Just this month, Winchester arrived in theaters. Directed by Michael and Peter Spierig and written by the Spierigs and Tom Vaughn, the story is inspired by  the legend of Sarah Winchester and the Winchester House. Of course, I took myself to see it.   My fellow Midnighter The Davis Girl suggested I jot down my expectations or pre-viewing thoughts to compare with my thoughts post-viewing. I didn't have a lot of expectations, going into a book or movie I am ready to accept what the writers want t[...]

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Blood on the Ground and the Devil’s Tooth

The Midnight Society likes their books a little bloody, but other bloody things are tantalizing, too. There’s something so enticing about the shiny, red liquid. Which is why, in a field of torn apart trees, I was recently kneeling to take photos. Amidst all the destruction, I had spotted blood on the ground. The ground was covered in fresh mulch and leaves. The forest had been shredded to bits. Stumps were pulled from the ground, black soil drying in clumps on their exposed roots. Devil's Tooth fungus (Hydnellum peckii) grows under forests, its myceliu[...]

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Moonlight TV Show

At home for a few days with sick kids, who then got me sick--so thankful they feel the need to share their germs--I got a little bored with what was available to stream. A while ago, I had downloaded the CW Seed app to my Apple TV so I could watch Constantine (see my Constantine TV post here and Brian's Constantine comic post here). After this, I didn't pay the rest of the shows any attention. So sick kids and mom rediscovers the app. Following? It seems as though 2006/07 were the comercial comeback years for vampires. Stephanie Meyer brought us sparkly Edward[...]

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Faith’s Favorite Frights #6

  Are you ready to tour the web with Faith’s Favorite Frights? It’s Wednesday, and I’m your undead host, Faith McKay. Let's start with something Hocus Pocus themed, because I can never get enough, okay? Boooook? So many of the best things in life are found on etsy, and this is no exception. This Hocus Pocus Phone Case comes from DCVisualArts and is just... so perfect. Next up is an item I think the Sanderson sisters would approve of. It's so... whimsical and pretty and makes me want to ride a bat. Yeah, you read that right. This pill box[...]

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Revisiting a Classic: Knight of the Black Rose (Ravenloft)

I am a D&D nerd, having grown up on the game. I'm also a huge fan of the Dragonlance novels and game setting, and have collected scores of books dedicated to that world. So what does that have to do with horror? I'm getting to that! The Dragonlance series had plenty of horrific moments in it, and one character in particular that is kind of the horror icon of that world. Lord Soth is a Darth Vader-esque character that is scarier than the dragons that populate Krynn. Soth was a once proud knight that who became an adulterer and a murderer. he was cursed and n[...]

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Let’s Watch a #Horror Movie: Silent Hill

February, time for hearts and flowers and chocolates and giant cuddly teddy bears...and strange, scary other dimensions with monsters and a town haunted by the past. I love watching horror movies with friends, so join me for this month's live-tweet of Silent Hill. As I searched through my movies, this one called to me. It's been too long since I've enjoyed the descent into the madness of a town haunted by secrets. We all need creepy nurses, Pyramid Head, and the rage of a little girl. Based on the horror video game, Silent Hill was released in 2006 and directe[...]

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College Advice from Horror Movies

It's that special time for sharing sage advice with the teen in your household.  It's College Tour Time! You’ve spent the last few years being stalked by killers through your high school and neighborhood. You've dealt with high school drama, maybe even gotten your heart broken. But you survived! Now you’re touring colleges.  This is a big decision, choosing that next step in life, but you're going to nail it. Find your people. College won’t always be easy, but people to study and hang out with will make it easier.  You'll end up going throu[...]